Abstract

MUNSAMI, Lyneshree; SCHUTTE, Clara M.; DE VILLIERS, Maryke  and  HIESGEN, Juliane. Late-onset efavirenz toxicity: A descriptive study from Pretoria, South Africa. South. Afr. j. HIV med. (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.1, pp.1-6. ISSN 2078-6751.  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v24i1.1439.

BACKGROUND: The neuropsychiatric side effects of efavirenz occur mainly early during treatment and are usually mild. A lesser-known and serious complication is late-onset efavirenz toxicity causing ataxia and encephalopathy. Data regarding this condition are limited. OBJECTIVES: We describe the clinical picture of late-onset efavirenz toxicity, investigate co-morbidities and report outcomes. METHOD: This descriptive study of all patients with late-onset efavirenz toxicity was conducted over three years at Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. RESULTS: Forty consecutive patients were identified. Mean age was 42.1 years, three patients (7.5%) were male and the mean efavirenz level was 49.0 μg/mL (standard deviation [s.d.]: 24.8). Cerebellar ataxia (82.5%) and encephalopathy (47.5%) were the most common presenting features (40.0% had both); four patients presented with psychosis. Presence of encephalopathy and/or cerebellar ataxia was associated with higher efavirenz levels compared with psychosis (52.1 μg/mL, s.d.: 24.1 vs 25.0 μg/mL, s.d.: 17.1). In most patients, symptoms resolved, but four patients (10.0%) died, and one patient remained ataxic. CONCLUSION: Late-onset efavirenz toxicity typically presented with ataxia and encephalopathy, but psychosis can be the presenting feature. The outcome after withdrawal was good, but the mortality of 10.0% is concerning. Recent changes in guidelines favour dolutegravir, but many patients remain on efavirenz, and awareness of the condition is vital. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: This large, single-centre study contributes to the limited data of HIV-positive patients with late-onset efavirenz toxicity and emphasises its ongoing relevance in clinical practice.

Keywords : HIV; efavirenz toxicity; ataxia; encephalopathy; psychosis.

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